KARACHI: A concerned group of parents and residents of Phase VIII have filed a petition, demanding that the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Administrator take note of the serious threat to security posed by the presence of SSP Chaudhry Aslam Khan and the Darakhshan police station in the area.
On September 19, Crime Investigation Department (CID) SSP Chaudhry Aslam Khan’s house was attacked. Although the officer escaped the attempt on his life, eight others died in the attack - including a schoolteacher and her son.
The parents and residents visited the DHA’s offices on October 19 with the petition, in which they have asked for SSP Aslam to be moved to an area where the fall-out of another such attack will not jeopardise the safety of thousands of children.
They stressed that the bomb blast that took place on September 19 at SSP Aslam’s residence is of profound importance. While they said they mourn with the families that have lost loved ones, they are also grateful for the lives that were spared by the difference of a few minutes.
The residents of Karachi emphasised that it is extremely irresponsible of the Sindh police and DHA to allow a high-profile target like SSP Aslam to be in such close proximity to schools where over 5,000 students attend schools, some as young as 3 to 4 years old.
The petitioners hope the DHA Administrator will take serious note of this as he has promised to do so.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 21st, 2011.
COMMENTS (9)
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I agree completely.... it is highly irresponsible to house high profile officials in residential areas when they know that their presence is going to pose a threat to those living in surrounding areas.... it pretty much seems now that life has little value if the government is taking so long to take notice of and resolve these kinds of problems. Officials who are likely to be threatened should be in their own cordoned off area in the city which would be the best decision vis a vie their security as well. I really hope that DHA takes note of this soon even though unfortunately it is a bit late in the day for the families who have lost their loved ones already. I dont mean to sound like a pessimist but we as citizens of this country have heard all these promises before. I have a "high profile" government official living close to me and they block off the roads when they feel, start construction around the area as they please and pretty much disregard the convenience and safety of those around him. So from my experience I think the protests and rants are water on a ducks back.
I totally support the schools and residents of ph.8. I think the govt should make a move, it's high time.
I definitely support the efforts of the schools, parents and the residents of DHA Phase VIII. Those who defend high value targets like the police station or Chaudhry Aslam should first consider all the people who lost their lives and those whose properties were damaged without a valid reason. It’s easy to say that one should support the police force, however when these people and places become a liability for ordinary citizens who try to function normally in these abnormal times, then the government should shift the police station and provide an individual like Chaudhry Aslam an alternative residential location, where they don’t directly pose a threat to society at large. It is the fundamental duty of the government to provide us protection and security.
I'm assuming neither of the above posters has children attending school next to a high profile target's house.
The high profile target was fully aware of threats against him and he and his family were afforded round the clock protection, security guards etc. He knew his presence posed a risk to the 7000 children who attend the schools which are within walking distance of his residence.
DHA allocated this area to schools - and then OKed a high profile target's taking up residence right next to them. Irresponsible of the police and DHA to wait till a bomb actually exploded to wake up to this issue.
It is only due to the ''kind offices'' of the terrorists the bomb didn't go off 20 minutes later during school time. Apparently the terrorists are more concerned about the safety of children than the police or DHA.
WHATT??!!!! The police should be respected for their sacrficies. Granted their reputation is tarnished but we are at a time where someone needs to take the first step!!! No police officials should be relocated. Does that mean the people from DHA are saying that their lives or the lives of their children are more important than the people who chose to protect us?
This is a shameful unfortunate act by the people of DHA. It shows us where our society places morals and values.
Way to go to motivate police officials who are in the crosshairs of terrorists. Tell them to pack up and leave. Isnt DHA supposed to be a disciplined well organizied institution with none other than the serving corps commander at the head of its board? Surely it must be secure? A citizen of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a security hazard to a housing community of the rich? And which part of an urban metropolis such as Karachi does not have children or schools or neighbours where people such as the SSP are supposed to go? Inner city, amongst the poor perhaps? Just not by the houses of retired military officers, burecrats, industrialists etc. What hogwash! The DHA hosts mosques whose preachers give sermons calling for jihad and taking arms against other sects and thats not a terrorist threat, but a policeman is!